Eurovision 1988 Voting - Part 5/5

The fifth and final part of the voting for the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, presented by Pat Kenny & Michelle Roca in Dublin, Ireland. The video also includes the awarding and the reprise of the winning song.
Host Pat Kenny (at the end of the previous part): "We have a very close situation [...] It's five points in it, I can tell you, between the United Kingdom and Switzerland [...] So it's all to play for, and everything depends on Yugoslavia..."
What follows is one of the most unbelievable, breathtaking moments in all of Eurovision history (even the usually aloof Terry Wogan was at a loss for words here), so I have nothing better to say than... Enjoy! :-)

[@jamesmt142]

Surely the best Eurovision ever just for the ending! Just one point launched an international superstar onto the world stage.

[@PhilipWester]

If we're going strictly by how close the voting was, in 1991, Sweden won by 0 points.

[@terrybaker8156]

Philip Wester true, but had it not been for that 1 measly point, Celine Dion may never have been.....Carola of Sweden in 91 is only known in Sweden, and she's crap

[@jamesshunt5123]

Neil Baker Yes, and sadly some of Celine Dion's most deluded fans seem to think she would have made it big anyway. The reality is that her Eurovision win opened up a lot of doors and she was lucky enough to have the right people notice her. Take this factor out of the equation and you end up with a big "what if?" which probably would have butterflied her away from music history. Remember that in the pre-youtube/pre-internet days only the winner was remembered and got all the radio play and tv show appearances. That in turn made her a candidate for a future star. This 1988 win made her a "winner" in her own eyes and in the eyes of those who helped her further up the career ladder. Would ABBA have made it big without their famous 1974 win Waterloo? An even bigger "what if?".

[@jamesmt142]

All quite true. The birth of a legend in real time. And people still say Eurovision does nothing for your career!

[@jamesmt142]

@@PhilipWester 1991 was closer, but it's let down overall by being a shite production. You watch 91 and 88 side by side and it's hard to believe this stellar production came three years before Rome's effort. For its time, a flawless production. A photo finish. The birth of a legend. For me overall no Eurovision has ever beaten 1988.

[@Welcome2Brela]

"And finally... France!" and the resulting mayhem. Legendary indeed. :)

[@alphabibo]

hehe yes i'm pretty sure they're not applauding the actual 12 points to France...

[@lorofcb3]

In defence of us Swiss: we did not buy a big star and make her compete for us. we found Celine, loved her and helped being a part of her incredible journey. Celine we know you are Canadienne, but you will always stay our national treasure as well!

[@sadrevolution]

As a Canadian, I love this comment! And I feel a solidarity with Switzerland because you did recognize and celebrate her talent, and became a part of her journey! And she got to sing in French.

[@ManWithOakleys]

@@sadrevolution i’m canadian too

[@sadrevolution]

@@ManWithOakleys Hi!

[@lorofcb3]

@@sadrevolution hello Canada! We love you.

[@tobyrose6906]

She isn't Swiss. French Canadian. ....

[@Tenortalker]

Celine always was a lovely , natural person. She cried her heart out and they must have wondered if she would be able to sing the encore. This was her triumph !

[@charlie3561]

She never really mentioned Eurovision again.or you never heard the song in english or at her concerts

[@baboo1984]

The Yugoslavian who gave the points couldn't care less. She didn't even said it slowly or make it mysterious. She was like like, "France 12 points bye. " LOL!

[@PierreLoranda]

Not even "The 12 points go to....." but directly "France" 😂

[@vanityedgeforum]

27 years later, she's worth $800m, has sold 250m records and is widely considered to be the greatest singer of all-time. Amazing.

[@linaanastasiou6876]

Bubelah And she completely ignore Eurovision Song Contest, she never speak for this experience who make her famous in Europe. This is no good for her...

[@Sanchordia]

Lina Anastasiou She does speak of it. She mentions it in her autobiography, it's where she and René had their first kiss. Also recently on the Jonathan Ross show she mentions it - she said the Swiss gave her a lot of chocolate!

[@dreasbn]

Bubelah The victory did not do much for her European carreer at all. It was only by her English songs like "Where does my heart beat now" and the follow ups years later that she got well known in Europe. The winning song of ESC 88 was nowhere a real big hit, but maybe in France. But it was indeed a very strong competition with Lara Fabian and Tommy Körberg participating. Three of the best voices in the world joined in one competition. And splendid songs from many countries like Norway, Israel amongst others.

[@cindyqueen7228]

+Bubelah Um whitney is a far greater singer but celine is top 10.

[@m.l5485]

cindy Queen Céline's better

[@nacht98]

wow eurovision has given us ABBA and Celine Dion?! Credit on that!!

[@carlageorgia2717]

your comment makes me happy.. :D

[@dummydummy5724]

Don’t forget Cliff Richard

[@carlitos3000ful]

And Netta "Toy"

[@jonieuvero5626]

This is the start if two empires

[@affanorama]

Olivia Newton John

[@titanicsimmer6425]

Wow years later she's a superstar sung for the titanic won 7 Grammys and is arguably the best female singer ever and SHE'S MY FAVORITE SINGER AND A LOT OF PEOPLES ALSO

[@TonySmith-xd5yt]

You appear to be as happy as Celine was. 😉

[@cdisalegend]

Love it! sung by 'this girl', a 'good singer', they have no idea what she is going to become!!

[@hiblackie2340]

Her voice hasn't changed a bit. Phenomenal!

[@rezae342]

Even when she was 13 y.o. her voice was the same!

[@galanie]

People will always disagree over this and that, but one thing I'll never accept, is that she she didn't deserve this. True, the contest is a "song contest" but the song had to be good for the vocalist or band to make it win. And they got the very best vocalist ever to sing it. I still get goosebumps seeing this after all these years. She was, I think, 19 at the time. And now at 50, can still sing like WOW.

[@TonySmith-xd5yt]

Absolutely right, the song was the best entry in the contest, and her voice delivered it superbly.19yrs old then, 50yrs old today, and still has the voice range like no other.

[@Gajol1000]

I still remember watching Céline winning. I was sooooo happy and really fell in love with her on that night! Love the song too. Best ESC Winner ever.

[@Frederic1406]

I was 11 in 1988, I remember I watched the contest with my mother and she was telling me when Celine was about to sing that I should watch out because she is a talented singer with a career in Québec and she comes with a strong voice and she can win. The rest is history. What a career, what a superstar. It is funny to see how they treated her with a relative indifference and now it would be absolutely massive if she came to a Eurovision stage to say hi or sing!

[@lorofcb3]

What most viewers won't know: the lyrics were written by a Ticinese lady, Nella Marinetti (in the blue dress), who is no longer with us, but was just an amazing character, singer and personality!

[@EdwynNSanchez]

I am actually from America and ever since I started getting to Eurovision classics, I always knew that Céline perfomed “Ne partez pas sans moi” for Switzerland and beated UK’s Scott Fitzgerald by only one small point. This is actually a Eurovision moment to remember. Thank you for sharing this!

[@rowan7543]

Pure suspense and won't ever be matched again. She thinks she hasn't won and no-one sees it coming.

[@realmenchangediapers]

Rowan Hodgson Actually a very similar close call happened in 1998 between Malta and Israel.

[@sktzn6829]

well France and Sweden tied in 1991 so that was a bit closer

[@Euroviking86]

The finish to this voting is truly timeless, isn't it? Still my heart races up to that point, and leaps when the final vote is announced. And I have seen this many, many times.

[@rainbowsandlove]

My heart still races as well... and... my heart will go on...

[@tobyrose6906]

Yeah she beat the united kingdom ..on last points given. And ofcourse she was the better ...So. I preferred the Old way of Voting. ..

[@anthonysmith3013]

Brilliant management. It wasn't about winning, for Rene Angelil, it was more about the publicity his charge got from the largest audience the world had on offer. Celine Dion was always going to be a Superstar, her manager merely got her there quicker.

[@Fatima502]

Actually I think winning was important, because she was the best performer on the night

[@iantuition]

Anthony Smith it was about winning. Céline said René bet on her lol.

[@yonaharagao8704]

surely, this was the Eurovision most exciting and remarkable of all!

[@detlevbrackmann6317]

the best winning song the ESC has ever had

[@zuvix86]

What a thriller. Celine won by 1 point!!! ❤️ She surely deserved it. But it was so close! Thank god. And thank you Portugal and Yugoslavia.

[@kladpapier]

Well thank you Yugoslavia, I listened to both songs, and I prefer Celine's by far!

[@skymaster4121]

Her relationship with René started this night, after she got off stage. And such a beautiful love story 🥰

[@vilinci]

Bravo Celine! Maybe Abba has the best song ever on ESC, but Celin has the best voice ever!

[@irondasgr]

Euphoria.

[@Frederic1406]

I love the voice of the Yougoslavian woman announcing the points, unaware of what was happening! Everyone was holding their breath and she went so calmly: "And finally..." !!! This is really one of the most incredible moments of ESC history!!!

[@gratacap1]

Professionnalisme

[@simoncatt95]

I'm British, but after all this time, I still think the right song won.

[@PARDI62]

We, France got the 12 points and were very pleased in the end, but I must admit that your comment is really, really fair play 👍 Vive l'Angleterre

[@lorofcb3]

I can watch this a million times, but as a Swiss Eurovision and Celine fan, it just never gets old.

[@Erik_Emer]

Honestly, I wished Yugoslavia gave the UK 6 points, and then Switzerland 12, just for an even bigger reaction.

[@CelineDionItalia93]

i believe they simply didn't want UK to win, so they just gave the minimum amount to make it lose to switzerland

[@zalkkareita9017]

@@CelineDionItalia93 thats dumb they give their points before voting begins so they cant rig it like that

[@chrisc.9627]

Humiliation was better to give 12 to France (discusting!), let UK loss just for point...and forget to give a least one! Totally humiliated. 😅 (Anyway to bad for us, their country doesn't exist anymore..😒)

[@VB2877]

Celine's win did indeed help to launch her worldwide career as she was noticed by many (including Elton John I believe). The difference between Celine (and Abba) compared to other winners is that the former saw the win as a springboard to bigger and better things. Both acts had great managers (Rene and Stig respectively) who pushed them in the right ways. Stig was promoting Abba round Europe even before they won and had follow up records ready after Waterloo. Rene pushed Celine in America but realised she needed to speak English so she went out of the spotlight to go to a Berlitz course and learn. Both Celine and ABBA are/were grafters. It appears that many winners seem to think success will come to them on a plate. Loreen (2012) needed a better manager - she had so much potential after Euphoria but lost it. At the same time though, some winners are content with local success. This year's winner, Netta, has potential but she needs strong guidance on where to take her career.

[@irondasgr]

Celine made the song and the song made Loreen. This is what you are looking for.

[@rezae342]

And a legend was born!

[@lottelarsen2918]

4.34 I love that the host helped her with the makeup 😊👍💕

[@alijabilalovic4937]

GREATINGS FROM FORMER YUGOSLAVIA....NICE YEAR..1988.

[@davidebettoni7246]

Legendary and ICONIC Timeless GLOBAL SUPREME Singer of all Times in Music History!!... The Unique Queen!!!.... Céline Dion you're the Best!!🌹❤️💎👑

[@Ibusers1]

Such an iconic time for Eurovision here. That song playing towards the very end of this video really tears me up and makes me feel emotional on the inside. Such a beautiful song paired with such a stunning voice.

[@bjl301]

Celine was in the league of her own

[@edcampion3998]

The better song and singer won that night.

[@esc9726]

Another closest contest which was in 1988 between Switzerland and United Kingdom was concluded by votes from Ljubljana as it happened in 2003

[@alfonsobarragues7874]

And 20 years earlier in 1968 also Yugoslavia was the last country to vote when Spain beat the UK by one vote

[@carligo]

At 1:23 the best moment EVER in Eurovision history...I'm so glad Celine won! She owned that contest!

[@tulliomucciolo2571]

Celine Dion jiust for ONE point!!!!!....... this is why Italy did not had not taken part in the eurosong for many years!!!!...... Celine deserved all the 12 points!!!!!

[@rainbowsandlove]

I love how the female presenter helped her dab her happy tears and make sure she was looking composed. It’s the sort of thing that girls in bathrooms do, they look after each other and lift each other up! 😍

[@gpmartino]

She’s Michelle Rocca

[@mezza001]

Celine won just by 1 point against UK! So close! She is a legend!

[@AtlasBlizzard]

The voting this year (2015) was the closest we've had since all countries could vote, but nothing can touch the thriller of '88.

[@Mikosyko]

1993 runs it very close for tension

[@brittanywatts6887]

2003? that was the same as this Belgium looked like they were going to win

[@AtlasBlizzard]

brittany watts Oh yeah, that was a real heartbreaker.

[@unitrvl]

+SethBlizzard 1998 both Malta and Israel with 166 during last round. 1991 Sweden and France ends up with the same sets of points while Israel is very close behind.

[@JackWalker12993]

+SethBlizzard are you looking forward to the new voting system this year? could we see a similar tense climax at the end like in 1988?

[@rexana]

Wow, Eurovision was different then. Audience full of people in black ties and suits applauding politely, you don't get that now lol

[@Erik_Emer]

Out of curiosity, I always wonder when Eurovision went from being a "concert" to a family show.

[@AtlasBlizzard]

@@Erik_Emer It began to transition in the mid- to late 90s.

[@charlie3561]

It was a posh do then and alot more nicer.

[@charlie3561]

@@AtlasBlizzard yea for the worse too.hate it now

[@sloeberdoet]

@@charlie3561 now it is more about politics and craziness than about the songs.

[@Chris-ln6so]

From the UK - 31 years later the best song still won. It must have been heartbreaking to pipped at the post (and ‘Go’ is a very good entry) but Celine was on another level.

[@kattenfindus7126]

omg.. one wonder what would have happened if the UK had won instead of celine... i mean I know ESC had no big impact on her career overall.. but if she had lost..who knows..she might have quit singing or never reached the highs that she did afterwards.. truly history!

[@tristanhnl]

I don't agree. By the time Eurovision rolled around, Celine's career was already well on her way in the international arena, with the likes of David Foster in her team, and the songs and songwriters in place to get her first English-language album produced. She was also already being signed by the record label CBS.

[@LordDavid04]

If the UK had won, it would have probably been hosted in London. No Birmingham Arena or Manchester Arena at that point.

[@TonySmith-xd5yt]

Almost every year there's controversy regarding the scoring..but had Celin'e lost, it wouldnt have changed a bit regarding her career. Ren'e was a very wise man, and was only testing the waters of European success. Though she maybe cutting back a little on tours these days, Celi'ne tours of Europe, and the Far East have always been heavily supported. Like her dreams as the youngest child..Celine was destined for success. She made it.

[@raymondsihombing955]

So here are the history when celine start to became a start of europe and then became the start of Universe.. what a touched story

[@BaracudaFTW]

Very off topic but I loved the Yugoslavian spokes woman’s energy lol

[@JackWalker12993]

Terry Wogan, René Angélil and now Bruce Forsyth, they come in threes... spooky how they all died 18 months in between! RIP

[@mousstard]

RIP Terry Wogan :(

[@thierrydevant7690]

She's lovely.

[@miuzefreak]

THE LYRICS, THE MUSIC, THE SINGER... EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER FOR CELINE DION. THE ABSOLUTE ULTIMATE BEST!

[@user-od5pz6im9s]

the suspense is absolutely breathtaking here !!!!

[@incroyfacil]

Its so lovely to see. "This girl" they toldf :) Of course in that moment and with strange Celine's haircut, dresing and unsurenes, they even couldnt imagibe that they told with the Queen of pop music for next year decades.

[@UnrealZmeu]

They called it a heartbreak but she gave us new better hearts.

[@christopherhannaford6348]

This is the best Eurovision ending ever. All drama made sure that a star was born!!@

[@grrumakemeangry]

Wonderful, just wonderful!

[@damebandit1589]

Never forget this

[@incroyablefacil4569]

How beautiful that contest was

[@calt4387]

Wow. That 1 point gave us the Celine Dion we have today. 😮😍

[@kalurank]

Norvaiiiiiisch diiiiiii puant - love the announcement of the 10 points when you can feel the excitement of the presenter.

[@josecervantesochoa8807]

Que bella Michelle Rocca, la mas bella conductora en la historia de Eurovisión. Por supuesto Celine es Celine insuperable.

[@manzo30dbz]

Johnny Logan, from Ireland and the 1987 winner was hugging Celine for like 9 seconds. Its so cute that she couldn't let go as if moment was a bit too much for her. Then she gave the shorter Nella Martinelli a big bear hug!

[@roderhautesavoie]

Surely the most thrilly vote ever ! But remind this : it's the very last French song that won ESC... :(

[@grrumakemeangry]

swiss-french

[@ruaidhri_5474]

@@grrumakemeangry that is what they just said

[@hervehenry361]

Quel talent ! Sacrée performance ! C'est vraiment extraordinaire ! Bravo Céline

[@kattenfindus7126]

I can sense a bit of "UK bias" amongst the production of ESC 1988.... it was like "ooh the UK did not win???" just look at the presenters....hahah

[@brittanywatts6887]

I know making them repeat the 12 points again to chove it in our faces

[@sanapadsense1999]

The same year Celine Dion for switzerland and Lara Fabian for Luxembourg

[@Mishima505]

Brucie's expression at 0:55 says it all - incredulity!

[@CelineDionMexico]

That's so great, I never seen before this video, the after wining performance allways the best....

[@damebandit1589]

And today is celine superstar

[@user-ig1ov1mk2v]

1956- Switzerland won 32 years ago Switzerland won 32 years ago Switzerland would win, but Eurovision cancelled

[@lindakristinekjlibraten757]

Let 's see what happends in 32 years time. Meanwhile: stay safe!

[@irondasgr]

In fact all relative polls showed Reponde moi as the winner of 2020 and this would reset the clock for the "last winner sung in French".

[@marcosteixeira3122]

True

[@LisaRamu]

Oh my god ….💛❤️❤️❤️

[@marinavanheck6154]

Well deserved.❤ Congratulations And my compliments to the wonderful Irish presentator.

[@mackg6774]

The greatest end to the Eurovision ever. And I'm British...but also European.

[@lennbess1445]

Imagine we would never get to know My Heart will go on because of zwo points less???.

[@jbbeatle007]

Only 20 yrs old at the time, she did amazing :)

[@Texaslawhorn]

The UK also lost by just one point 30 years earlier in 1968 when Massiel from Spain won over Cliff Richard.

[@alfonsobarragues7874]

And Yugoslavia was also the last country to vote with a similar confusion that they had to repeat the vote, as they did here with France 12 points

[@juanantonioortegagonzalez6764]

This was the end of the French language un ESC and the end of the old era.

[@luvhart]

….until 2021😊

[@wjan13]

1:21 is really a breathtaking moment ❤️❤️Celine is incredible 🥰

[@minniefontein1665]

Did the presentor say at 4:46 Celine DELON? Oh dear

[@ichwalaprianfadillah5120]

I never know how the voting goes in eurovision until i watched fire saga, then suddenly i thought of celine, how's the voting went when she won the contest, and that's a nervewracking moment, UK lost just by one point!

[@lorofcb3]

The only unbelievable aspect of this is that Celine only won by one point. Celine Switzerland is still in love with you!

[@gforgac6580]

So touching, and Celine was an absolute star, modestly. When the bowl trophy thing was passed to the female composer it felt abit awkward, like Celine should have been given it.

[@carlosdavidrangelrodriguez58]

I love celines reaction

[@passthemission]

I love how Terry Wogan shocked after the null point for the UK!

[@MsFanmail]

i liked the uk and switzerland song both good songs

[@renescerlini1643]

Reaction in the hall when exYou-jury gave 12 points to France and not to UK, says everything how the crowd was thrilled by the Celine already then when she was still quite unknown...atleast in Europe

[@LoganLavery]

Interesting how Celine didn't get the trophy. The presenter gave it to the songwriter who immediately gave passed it to Celine, but then the presenter said "no, it's for you" and Celine had to pass it back. Awkward! Then they made Celine sing the song again! It wouldn't have won without the singer's exuberant performance!!

[@PhilipWester]

Because the trophy has always gone to the songwriter. Always. To this day.

[@Gajol1000]

Eurovision is really a song contest, not a singers' contest. Officially the composers are the winners even if the singers tend to get more attention.

[@Texaslawhorn]

@@PhilipWester It seems as if I recall there being a bit of a problem with the awards in the 1969 contest when the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and France all tied for first. Each of the singers received the trophies - at least for the sake of the TV show -, and the composers had to get theirs later because there weren't enough to go around.

[@PhilipWester]

@@Texaslawhorn Sometimes the singer gets the trophy. Sometimes the singer, but for quite a long time now, I'm fairly certain the song-writers are the ones to get to keep the award.

[@Texaslawhorn]

@@PhilipWester It does make sense for the song writer to get the award since it is a song contest after all. I know there is the Bezencon awards - Press, Artistic and Composer - that they give out for song writing and best staging... It would be nice if they included these in the TV broadcast.

[@azaleagregory3929]

Bravo Celine !

[@Quaxi3]

She has always had THAT voice, like, Mercury, Farmham, Wonder, etc...

[@chantalpaul117]

Très bonne chanteuse

[@nkgonzalez7739]

Legendary

[@micar167]

Didn't even know that Lara Fabian was competing , what an irony two of the greatest voices .. wow

[@Littlelambism]

It was so close!! I remember that very well.

[@emirhadzic5689]

Aaaaaaah, I want this voting back! Man, time froze for a moment!

[@esc9726]

when the last votes will come from Ljubljana the contest will be one of the closest one

[@marcosteixeira3122]

Epic results

[@vincentchevallereau7877]

No Word … so amazing !!!!!`

[@voiceofsoul3636]

Old is gold😘😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶💐💐💐💐😊😊😊😊

[@adamkijewski1989]

BRAWO Celin!!!

[@lottelarsen2918]

4.47. Singer Celine "Dilon" ????😂😂

[@A.Man.From.Cyprus]

🇨🇾 And that is how the great star I love begin her world wide career - Celine Dion I love you! ❤️😊